Convertible seat and sleeping berth in aircraft



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Aug. 26, 1952 G. A. JERGENSON CONVERTIBLE SEAT AND SLEEPING BERTI-I IN AIRCRAFT Filed Feb. 8, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET l v 7m ORNEYS INVENTOR I :ll GEORGE A JERGENSON BY j y22h@ G. A. JERGENSON A ug. 26, 1952 CONVERTIBLE SEAT AND SLEEPING BERTH IN AIRCRAFT Filed Feb. 8, 1950 2 SHEETS--SHEET 2 N O w m RE s mm NE. fR EJ o V T mA ,T R Y m m G i "Nm, QW

Patented Aug. 26, 1952 CONVERTIBLE SEAT AND SLEEPING BEETH IN ARCRAFT George A. Jorgensen, Santa Barbara, Calif., as-

signor to Pan American World Airways, Inc.,` New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application February 8, 1950, Serial No. 143,117

i8 Claims. (Cl. 2ML-4118) This invention relates to convertible seat and sleeping berth arrangements for passenger vehicles, and has particular reference to such arrangements for passenger aircraft, although the invention is not limited to that use.

Because of the limitations on space and weight, the conversion of aircraft passenger seats into comfortable sleeping berths has long presented a problem, since more space is required for sleeping accommodations than for a seat` and also more equipment, whereas additional spaceis not available without uneconomically sacricing seating space, and additional equipment occupies valuable space when not in use and uneconomically increases the dead load at all times. Stag gering the seats diagonally upwardly and downwardly above the passageway licor has beensuggested, and while that has been a step in, the right direction, the additional space necessary for converting the seats to` berths has not yet been provided without materially decreasing the number of seats, and the increased equipment weight problem remains.

ln accordance with the present invention, a passenger vehicle convertible seat and berth combination is provided, which does not materially reduce the available seating `space when the seats are converted into berths and which does not appreciably increase the dead weight of the vehicle equipped with the combination.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention,

the seats are placed back-to-baclr, lengthwise of the vehicle, and alternate seats are placed substantially above and the remaining seats are placed below the passageway ioor, with the back of the upper seat arranged to recline over the back of the adjacent lower seat, whose back in turn rcclines below the upper seat, so that when both seats are arranged in asubstantially horizontal sleeping berth position, the upper berth overlaps the lower berth by approximately half its length, and vice versa. A foot rest provided for each seat becomes a horizontal forward extension of the seat when in horizontal sleeping berth position. Intermediate reclining positions for the seats are available by adjustment thereof.

t will be seen that the normally horizontal seat portion remains substantially xed in position in the vehicle, but that the longitudinal extension thereof required for horizontal sleeping berth position is aiorded by the overlap of the back with respect to the seat below and the underlap of the lower seat with the seat above, Without increase in the space requirements, except for a slight increase in head-room over the single level seat arrangement and, except for a 2 few light partitions and a small amount oi extra hardware, there is no -material dead weight increase, all without sacriiicing passenger comfort.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be lhad to the accom- `panying drawings, in` which:

Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle passenger cornpartment, one-half, e. g., the right-hand or port bali,` of the compartment being `shown in plan, as seen along the line `I-I of Figure 2, it being understood that the other half of the compartment is substantially the same; i

Figure 2 is a side elevation as seen from th passageway and indicated by line 2 2 of Figure l, certain parts being shown broken away;

Figure 3v is a front View of one `of the seats, as seen along the `line 3--3 of Figure 4, and

Figure 4 is an enlargement of the left-hand end of Figure 2, with the passageway floor omitted to show the ,completelower tier arrangement..

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, numeral iii `designates the cabin or passenger compartment of the Vehicle embodying the invention, such as an airplane, for example, having a double row` of seats at each side of the center aisle or passageway` I I, tov which access may be had through the doorA I2 in the lee wall of the fuselage or cabin forming the compartment IB.

At each side of the passageway II, the righthand side shown being illustrative of both, is a vertical panel I3 extending above and `below the passageway floor level I4, so that the passenger steps up to the floor level I5 for access to the corresponding upper tier seat and down to floor level I6 for access to the corresponding lower tier seat. The seats are arranged as shown in Figs. 2 and e, i. e., alternating up and down in staggered vertical relation, with the seats of the upper tier facing in one direction and the lower tier in the opposite direction. ,1 i

`Considering the frontor left-hand seat I7 of the pair as typical, the seat portici/118 and the back portion I9 are hinged together at 2) for relative angular movement between them. This angular relation between the seat and back portions !8 and IE is controlled bya bell crank lever 2| pivoted at its elbow ona bolt 22 xedly mounted in the panel I3 at one side and in intermediate panel I3 at .the other side of the seat I'I. The rear end of the bell crank 2l is pivoted to the back portion I9 at 23 and the front end terminates in a lateral threadedpin 2t movable in anarcuate slot 25 in the panel I3 and projecting therethrough, on the left side for the left or aisle seat, and on the right side for the window seat, and threaded for a wing nut 26 or other locking or fastening means.

The seat portion I`8 rests on, and is slidable forwardly and rearwardly over, a cross bar 2 extending between panels I3 and I3 as shown especially in Fig. 3. Thus, as the back portion I9 of the seat is inclined to the intermediate position shown at I'I, the bell crank 2| pivots about its axis 22, causing pin 24 to rise in slot 25 and seat portion I8 to slide forwardly over cross bar 21 as it moves about the hinge 2D connecting it with the back portion I9.

Preferably a stop pin 28, or some other stop means additional to wing nut 26, is provided for rmly holding the back portion I9 in intermediate reclining position, the stop pin 28 being insertable in and removable from an opening in the panel I3. Similarly, when the full reclining position is desired, pin 28 is moved to lower opening 29 in panel I3, so that back portion I9 rests thereon and wing nut pin 24 on the seat portion I8 rises to the upper limit of arcuate slot 25 in side panel I3. This action causes the seat portion I8 to be projected still further forwardly over cross bar 21 until both seat and back portions IB and I9 lie in the horizontal position indicated at I1 in Fig. 2.

Extending transversely across the cabin in front of each pair of forwardly-facing seats is a panel 30 forming a recess 3I for containing foot rests 32 for the corresponding seats. The lower or front edge of each foot rest is provided with lateral pins 32 terminating in wing nuts, not shown, but like nuts 26 in Fig. 3. The pins 33 slide in arcuate slots 34 in lateral brackets 35 mounted within recess 3l, which allow the foot rest to assume various angles, such as that shown at position I'I" which is the intermediate reclining angle, and at Il which is the horizontal sleeping berth position, in alignment with the horizontal seat and back portions I8 and I9. The top or inner edge of the foot rest is provided with hooks 3E adapted to pass over and rest on pins 31 at the front edge of the corresponding seat portion I8.

The seats of the lower tier are arranged in the same way, the back portions I9' thereof being adapted to rest in the intermediate reclining position on pins 28 and in the horizontal position when the pin 28' is inserted in opening 29', while the seat portion I 8 slides forwardly on cross bar 2T so that the seat pivots to a degree about bolt 22'. Only the foot rest 32 diiers in that it is normally stored in a horizontal position but is angularly adjustable in arcuate slot 34 and has hooks 36 which attach to pins 31 in the forward edge of the seat portion I8', as before.

It will be observed that the superposed seats are positioned back to back, but that the mounting is such that the relative horizontal and vertical arrangement thereof places the back portions I9 and I9 in substantially the same vertical plane when erect, as indicated by line A-A in Figure 4. Also, the back portion I9 of the upper seat overlaps and overhangs the lower seat when in intermediate and horizontal positions, and the top of the back portion I9' of the lower seat clears the upper seat portion I8 when swung downwardly into a recess 39 between the panels I3 and I3. Thus, the lower seat underlaps the upper seat when in intermediate and horizontal positions, as shown in the right-hand illustration in Figure 2. Hence, although the adjacent seats areclosely spaced, the arrangement of this invention requires no additional space for the horizontal or sleeping berth position.

Curtains along the passageway may be pro-- vided, and each seat may have its window ll, to aiord the privacy and the freedom of external view for each pair of seats in both upper and lower tiers. When the lower seats are not inclined to the horizontal sleeping position, the recess 39 between the panels I3 and I3' may be utilized for short haul storage, whereas the spaces 4I under the floors I5 may be used for general storage at all times, such as for pillows, blankets, curtains, etc.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described herein, the invention is not limited thereby, but is susceptible of changes within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:`

l. In a convertible seat and sleeping berth arrangement for a passenger Vehicle, the combination of a pair of seats each comprising a seat portion and normally erect back portion movable to reclining position, and means mounting said seats in reverse and vertically displaced positions with the upper edge of the back portion of the lower seat positioned at lower level than the seat portion of the upper seat, whereby the back portion of the upper seat overlaps the lower seat and the back portion of the lower seat underlaps the upper seat when moved to their respective reclining positions.

2. In a convertible seat and sleeping berth arrangement for a passenger vehicle, the cornbination of a pair of seats arranged back-to-back and each comprising a seat portion and normally erect back portion movable to reclining position, and means mounting said seats in vertically displaced positions with the upper edge of the back portion of the lower seat located adjacent the rear edge of the seat portion of the upper seat, whereby the back portion of the upper seat swings back over the lower seat and the back portion of the lower seat swings back under the upper seat when moved to their respective reclining positions.

3. In a convertible seat and sleeping berth arrangement for a passenger vehicle, the combination of a pair of seats each comprising a seat portion and a normally erect back portion movable to reclining position, and means mounting said seats in reverse and vertically displaced positions with the back portion of the lower seat below and substantially in the same vertical plane as the back portion of the upper seat, whereby the back portion of the upper seat swings back over the lower seat and the back portion of the lower seat swings back under the upper seat when moved to their respective reclining positions.

4. In a convertible seat and sleeping berth arrangement for a passenger vehicle, the combination of a pair of seats each comprising a seat portion and a normally erect back portion movable to a reclining position, a pair of parallel xed vertical panels dei'lning a compartment, and means mounting said seats in reverse and vertically displaced positions between said panels with the upper edge of the back portion of 4the lower seat positioned at lower level than the scat portion of the upper seat, whereby the back portion of the upper seat swings back over the lower seat and the back portion of the lower seat swings back under the upper seat when moved to their respective reclining positions, thereby to provide at least two aligned sleeping berths between said panels, said berths being juxtaposed and overlapping vertically whereby the total `length of the two berths exceeds the spacing of said panels.

5. In a convertible seat and sleeping berth arrangement for a `passenger vehicle, the combination of a pair of seats each comprising a seat portion and a .normally erect back portion movable to a reclining position, and pivotal means mounting said seats in reverse and vertically displaced positions with the upper edge of the back portion of the lower seat positioned at lower level than the seatportion of the upper seat, whereby the back portion of theupper seatswings back over the lower seat and the back portion of the lower seat swings back under the upper seat when moved to their respective reclining positions.

6. In a convertible seat and sleeping berth arrangement for a passenger vehicle, the combination of a pair of seats each comprising a seat portion and a normally erect back portion movable to a reclining position, a pair of parallel fixed vertical panels, substantially horizontal bars pivoted between said panels at diierent levels, and means mounting said seats in reverse and vertically displaced positions on said bars with the upper edge of the back portion of the lower seat positioned at lower level than the seat portion of the upper seat, whereby the back portion ofthe upper seat swings back over `the lower seat and the back portion of the lower seat swings back under the upper seat when moved to their respective reclining positions.

7. In a convertible seat and sleeping berth arrangement fcr a passenger vehicle, the combination of a pair of seats facing in opposite directions and each comprising a seat portion and a normally erect back portion movable to reclining position, a pair of parallel fixed vertical panels, and means pivoted on said panels at vertically displaced positions and mounting the seat and back portions of each seat with the upper edge of the back portion of the lower seat located adjacent the rear edge ofv the seat portion of the upper seat, whereby the back portion of the upper seat swings back over the lower seat and the back portion of the lower seat swings back under the upper seat when moved to their respective reclining positions.

8. In a convertible seat and sleeping berth arrangement for a passenger vehicle, the combination of a pair of seats facing in opposite directions and each comprising a seat portion and a normally erect back portion, hinge means connecting the back portions to the seat portions for movement of the baci; portion to reclining position, a pair of spaced vertical panels, vertically spaced bars pivoted intermediate their ends on said panels, pivotal connections between one end of each bar and the back portionof the corresponding seat, and an adjustable connection between the other end of each bar and the corresponding panel, whereby the seats are mounted in vertically displaced positions between said panels and the back portion of the upper seat swings back over the lower seat and the back portion of the lower seat swings back under the upper seat upon adjustment of said corresponding connections.

9. In a convertible seat and sleeping berth arrangement for a passenger vehicle, the combination of a pair of seats facing in opposite directions and each comprising a seat portion and a normally erect back portion, hinge means connecting the back portion to the seat portion for movement of the back portion to reclining position. a lpair of spaced verticalpanels, vertically spaced horizontal bars rpivoted` intermediate their ends on said panels, pivotal connections between one end of each bar and the backportion of the corresponding seat, an arcuate locking means on each panel having its center of curvature at the pivot of the corresponding bar, and an adjustable connection between the other end of each bar and the corresponding locking means, whereby the seats are 'mounted in` .vertically displaced positions between said panels andthe back portion of the upper seat swings back over the lower seat and the back p ortiono the lower seat swings back under the` upper seat uponadiustment `of said corresponding connections. 10. In a convertible seat and sleeping berth 'arrangement for a passenger vehicle, the combination of a rst seat having a relatively xcd seat portion and a movable back` portion, means holding said back portion ,alternatively in substantially erect and substantially horizontal reclining tion.

' position, a second seat having a relatively fixed seat portion and a movable back portion, means holding saidsecond seat back portion alternatively in substantially erectfand substantially horizontal reclining positions,` and meansmounting said seats in back-toback zvertically displaced positions with their" back portions in substantially the same vertical plane when erect, whereby the upper seat back portion overlaps the lower seat when in reclining position. Y

11. In a convertible seat andsleeping berth arrangement for a passenger vehicle, the combination of a first seatA having a relatively fixed seat portion and a movable back portion, means holding said baclrportionalternatively insubstantially erect vand substantially jhorizontal reclining position, asecond `seat having a relatively iixed seat portion and a movable back portion, means holding said second.` seat bach portion alternatively` in substantially erect and substantially horizontal reclining positions, `a pair of spaced vertical panels, pivotal means mounting said seats in vertically displaced positions in and betweensaid panels, and adjustable connections between the pivotal means and the holding means of the corresponding seat for adjusting the back portion thereof to reclining posi- 12.` In a convertible seat and sleeping berth arrangement for a passenger vehicle having a passageway, the combination of a platform posi- 1 tioned to the side and abovethe rlevel of said seat back portion overlaps the lower seat when swung back to a horizontal reclining position.

13. In a convertible seat and sleeping berth arrangement for a passenger vehicle having a passageway, the combination of an upper tier and a lower tier of seats along one side of said passageway, transversely spaced pairs of panels spaced along said passageway, and mounting an upper and a lower seat between each said pair of panels, transverse platforms between each 7 pair of panels for access to the corresponding seat from the passageway, each seat having a seat portion flXed in a horizontal plane and a movable back portion, and adjustable means mounted on the corresponding panel for holding said back portion alternatively in substantially erect and substantially horizontal reclining position, whereby the upper seat back portion overlaps the seat portion of the lower seat when swung back in horizontal reclining position.

14. In a convertible seat and sleeping berth arrangement for a passenger vehicle having a passageway, the combination of an upper tier and a lower tier of seats along one side of said passageway, transversely spaced pairs of panels spaced along said passageway, and mounting an upper and a lower seat between each said pair of panels, the upper tier seats and lower tier seats facing in opposite directions, transverse platforms between each pair of panels for access to the corresponding seat from the passageway, each seat having a relatively fixed seat portion and a movable back portion, and adjustable means mounted on the corresponding panel for holding said back portion alternatively in substantially erect and substantially horizontal reclining position, whereby the upper seat back portion overlaps the seat portion of the lower seat when swung back in horizontal reclining position.

15. In a convertible seat and sleeping berth arrangement for a passenger vehicle having a passageway, the combination of transversely spaced panels arranged in longitudinally spaced pairs along said passageway, a transverse platform between said pair of panels and leading from said passageway, alternate platforms having a higher level than the remaining platforms, an upper seat and a lower seat mounted between each pair of panels at levels corresponding to the respective platforms, and hinge means mounting the back portion of each seat for reclining movement between the corresponding panels, said upper and lower seats forming two berths overlapping at head and toe and spaced apart vertically at a distance corresponding to the total difference in level between alternate platforms.

16. In a convertible seat and sleeping berth arrangement for a passenger vehicle having a passageway, the combination of transversely spaced panels arranged in longitudinally spaced pairs along said passageway, a transverse platform between said pair of panels and leading from said passageway, alternate platforms having a higher level than the remaining platforms, an upper seat and a lower seat mounted between each pair of panels at levels corresponding to the respective platforms and facing in opposite directions, and hinge means mounting the back portion of each seat for reclining movement between the corresponding panels, said up- 8 per and lower seats forming two berths overlapping at head and toe and spaced apart vertically at a distance corresponding to the difference in level between alternate platforms.

17. In a convertible seat and sleeping berth arrangement for a passenger vehicle having a passageway, the combination of transversely spaced panels arranged in longitudinally spaced pairs along said passageway, each pair of transversely spaced panels corresponding to one multiple seat unit, a transverse platform between said pair of panels and leading from said passageway, alternate platforms having a higher level than the remaining platforms, an upper seat and a lower seat mounted between each pair of panels at levels corresponding to the respective platforms and facing in opposite directions. said oppositely facing upper and lower seats forming cooperatively one of said multiple seat units, hinge means mounting the back portion of each seat for reclining movement between the corresponding panels, transverse partitions between the facing seats of adjacent longitudinally spaced units, and a foot rest movably mounted in the partition corresponding to the seat facing the same.

18. In a convertible seat and sleeping berth arrangement for a passenger vehicle, the combination of a pair of spaced vertical panels mounted on the vehicle, substantially horizontal bars pivoted intermediate their ends on the inside of each panel for movement about the common axis of their pivots, transverse supporting means eX- tending inwardly from each panel adjacent one end of the corresponding bars, a substantially horizontal seat portion and a normally erect back portion hinged together at their abutting edges, a pivotal supporting connection between the other ends of said bars and the back portion, a sliding supporting connection between the seat portion and said transverse supporting means, and a vertically adjustable locking connection between the said one endrof each of said bars and the corresponding panel, whereby the back portion may be adjusted from normally erect to reclining positions as the seat portion slides on said transverse supporting means.

GEORGE A. JERGENsoN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 204,684 Robinson June 11, 1878 475,791 Morrison May 31, 1892 2,081,529 Canney May 25, 1937 2,280,065 De Roode Apr. 21, 1942 2,332,841 Burton et al. Oct. 26, 1943 

